The year is 2400. On the fairly modest planet of Gyesmyd in the Rukbat system, change is beginning. For thousands of years, its inhabitants -- The Forumites -- have warred amongst themselves, with never a year of peace. They were a violent species, until one Aradel Seraphim, the President of a large continent, finally succeeded in uniting all the citizens of Gyesmyd under one banner, the Gyesmyd Swarm. Now they turn there eyes to outer space.
This is Gyesmyd, a rock planet with a Hydrogen atmosphere, in the Rukbat system. In the most recent surveys, Forumite scientists detected these "Warp Points", and have theorised that they're wormholes, leading to other solar systems.
Now that there is finally peace on their planet, Gyesmyd is ready to explore the vastness domain of the Stars. Their first ship, the GSe
Lightstriker, completed construction in the early months of the year 2400.
This is the GSe
Lightstriker, the first Explorer-class vessel created by the Gyesmyd Swarm. It possess a full sensor suite and the most powerful ion engines that they currently possess, and a single fairly primitive Depleted Uranium Railgun. With its crew of one-hundred, it sets off through the closest warp point, in search of new life forms, and new civilisations. Or phat lewt. They aren't fussy.
Early scans reveal that the Warp Point lead to a binary system, and revealed two unpopulated planets, not particularly suited to colonisation. Lightstriker recieves orders to progress traveling through and scanning the entire system. Forumite scientists name the system "Bellatrix."
Meanwhile, scientists conclude that a nearby planet in their own system, Rukbat II, is suitable for sustaining life. The terrain and conditions seem tolerable, although since it has a Methane atmosphere, any colonies will need to be domed, thus limiting their size. The construction of a colony vessel is quickly commissioned, and within two months Lifebringer I is completed.
Fifteen million Forumites are loaded aboard and sent to colonise their new home of Rukbat II.
There, they began construction of a large research facility. With the threat of possibly making first contact with Alien life just over the horizon, Gyesmyd scientists had been quite busy, researcher larger and more advanced ships, better engines, more effecient storage techniques, and more.
In late 2400, the GSe
Lightstriker finally finished surveying the Bellatrix system.
They found numerous small nebulae, some more planets that were unfortunately unsuited to colonisation at the time, and another Warp Point. At this time, the Lightstriker returned to Gyesmyd to refuel and be retrofitted with faster engines, more effective sensors, and a large fuel supply. At this time, the construction of another Explorer-class ship was commissioned, and it was dubbed the GSe-
Aidan.
While GSe-
Aidan was being constructed, the GSe-
Lightstriker set forth through the second warp point in the Rukbat system, into a nearby system called Achird.
Early scans were promising, picking up not just one, but after a short time, TWO small rock planets with Hydrogen atmospheres, ideal for further colonisation.
Shortly there-after, the GSe-
Aidan was launched, and was tasked with exploring through one of the two warp points found in Bellatrix system. After a month-long journey, they reached the warp point, traveling through to discover a trinary star system, dubbed Mira. Early scans weren't promising, however, finding no planets what-so-ever.
Very little happens for a time, and nearly two years later, Gyesmyd scientists are starting to give up hope of finding alien life, until in the last month of 2401, a single alien vessel is detected by the sensors of a colony ship, on its way with cargo of 15 million people, to colonise one of the small planets in the Achird system.
Brief communications have been made with these aliens, who refer to themselves as the Ukra-Tal Collective. Here are their details, as well as some preliminary estimates of their force numbers. These estimates have a possible 50% varience, however.
Now, senators, I will need your votes. How should we progress from here? I request votes on three matters.
What should our research focus be? Larger ship hulls and faster engines? Or perhaps more advanced theoretical sciences, that could unlock more powerful weapons in the future? Or something else. Any suggestions would be welcome.
Where do we go from here? Do we begin militarising space? Predictions suggest we could have an armed battlestation and defense satellites in orbit around Gyesmyd as early as 2403. Should we begin building larger warships, and what should our stance be on new xeno species?
Finally, how should we act towards the Ukra-Tal collective? They appear to be on their way towards our home system. Should we attack preemptively, or should we attempt to establish peaceful dialogue with them, perhaps even trade and research pacts?
Senators, you have the floor. Speak, and be heard.